Florida State League Top 20 Prospects List
Pitching prospects flock to FSL
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The high Class A Florida State League always has been a nightmare for
hitters. Spacious major league spring-training parks turn home runs
into long outs, several of the stadiums have prevailing winds that blow
in, and the heat and humidity sap hitters' bat speed as the long season
rolls along.
But hitters this year had extra reason to feel they were being picked on. Because the league has some of the best April weather in the minors, teams stocked their FSL affiliates with a slew of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
In addition to the pitchers who made this list, Matt Garza, Cole Hamels, Philip Hughes, Andrew Miller and Mike Pelfrey also pitched in the FSL without logging enough innings to qualify. Fort Myers in particular seemed to run out quality arm after quality arm, as Garza and Kevin Slowey and Jose Mijares were joined by Kyle Waldrop, Anthony Swarzak, Oswaldo Sosa and Kyle Aselton.
The hitting talent in the league wasn't nearly as deep, especially after Brevard County third baseman Ryan Braun and Palm Beach outfielder Terry Evans moved on to Double-A. Braun easily stood out as the top position prospect in the league.
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Pitching prospects flock to FSL
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PrintSubscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players
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subscribe)| TOP 20 PROSPECTS |
| 1. Homer Bailey, rhp, Sarasota (Reds) |
| 2. Yovanni Gallardo, rhp, Brevard County (Brewers) |
| 3. Scott Elbert, lhp, Vero Beach (Dodgers) |
| 4. Ryan Braun, 3b, Brevard County (Brewers) |
| 5. Donald Veal, lhp, Daytona (Cubs) |
| 6. Colby Rasmus, of, Palm Beach (Cardinals) |
| 7. Mark Rogers, rhp, Brevard County (Brewers) |
| 8. Mike Carp, 1b, St. Lucie (Mets) |
| 9. Blake DeWitt, 2b/3b, Vero Beach (Dodgers) |
| 10. Kevin Slowey, rhp, Fort Myers (Twins) |
| 11. Sean Gallagher, rhp, Daytona (Cubs) |
| 12. Terry Evans, of, Palm Beach (Cardinals) |
| 13. Gaby Hernandez, rhp, Jupiter (Marlins) |
| 14. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Sarasota (Reds) |
| 15. Jaime Garcia, lhp, Palm Beach (Cardinals) |
| 16. Jair Jurrjens, rhp, Lakeland (Tigers) |
| 17. Jose Mijares, lhp, Fort Myers (Twins) |
| 18. Alexi Casilla, ss/2b, Fort Myers (Twins) |
| 19. Ryan Patterson, of, Dunedin (Blue Jays) |
| 20. Greg Golson, of, Clearwater (Phillies) |
But hitters this year had extra reason to feel they were being picked on. Because the league has some of the best April weather in the minors, teams stocked their FSL affiliates with a slew of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
In addition to the pitchers who made this list, Matt Garza, Cole Hamels, Philip Hughes, Andrew Miller and Mike Pelfrey also pitched in the FSL without logging enough innings to qualify. Fort Myers in particular seemed to run out quality arm after quality arm, as Garza and Kevin Slowey and Jose Mijares were joined by Kyle Waldrop, Anthony Swarzak, Oswaldo Sosa and Kyle Aselton.
The hitting talent in the league wasn't nearly as deep, especially after Brevard County third baseman Ryan Braun and Palm Beach outfielder Terry Evans moved on to Double-A. Braun easily stood out as the top position prospect in the league.
Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players
(Click here to
subscribe)
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